Saving Our Seas and Shores

Saving Our Seas and Shores

Working to protect California's seabirds and shorebirds.

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Bird-friendly Communities
Bird-Friendly Communities

Bird-friendly Communities

Audubon is committed to transforming our communities into places where birds flourish.

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Conservation

10 years after Cosco Busan, restored habitat on Aramburu Island

Check out this coverage of our restoration work after the Cosco Busan Oil spill on Aramburu Island from KTVU 2 NewsThe anniversary of San Francisco Bay’s worst oil spill comes as the Trump Administration pushes for increased oil drilling off the California coast.  Andrea Jones, Audubon California Director of Bird Conservation, talks about the impact of the Cosco Busan spill, the Aramburu Island restoration, and the birds who depend on the the island and bay. 

Watch the full video
Oil kills birds. Read our press release on the 10 year anniversary of the Cosco Busan Oil Spill
Learn more about Arambaru Island

Richardson Bay Annual closure protects important migratory bird species
Conservation

Richardson Bay Annual closure protects important migratory bird species

Sanctuary waters in Richardson Bay are closed to all boat traffic October 1st through March 31st and in-water activities (including kayaks & stand-up paddleboards, or SUPs) from October 1st through March 31st to protect over-wintering and migratory waterbirds.

A visit to a waterbird’s gas station
San Francisco Bay

A visit to a waterbird’s gas station

San Francisco Bay is an integral part of the Pacific Flyway. A recent visit to a South Bay restoration site reveals birds fueling up for their migration complete with kleptoparasitism.

Seasonal Biological Aides at Richardson Bay enhance conservation and engagement work
Conservation

Seasonal Biological Aides at Richardson Bay enhance conservation and engagement work

Meet the three seasonal biologists and learn about their work on restoration, conservation, and engagement at Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary in Tiburon, California

Over 10,000 inviduals from our network speak up to protect our oceans
Conservation

Over 10,000 inviduals from our network speak up to protect our oceans

Over the last month Audubon California collected over 10,000 comments from individuals speaking out against any changes to our marine sanctuaries, including opening them up to resource exploitation and against new off shore oil drilling. Our chapters were critical partners in these efforts. A big thanks to everyone who spoke up and made their voice heard.

Endangered birds nest at Malibu Lagoon Beach
Conservation

Endangered birds nest at Malibu Lagoon Beach

Endangered California Least Terns are nesting again on a Malibu Beach. This is a good reminder of best practices for beach goers to ensure birds who nest on our beaches have the best chance of survival.

Nearly 75,000 Tricolored Blackbirds protected in 2017
Press Center

Nearly 75,000 Tricolored Blackbirds protected in 2017

— Celebrating the five year partnership between farmers and conservationists that allows Tricolored blackbirds nesting on farms sufficient time to fledge their young
The origins and evolution of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918
Audublog

The origins and evolution of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918

The decimation of birds by fashion and sport spawned a movement that led to the 1918 treaty that transcends borders and protects birds today

Humboldt Bay is more important to birds than you might think
Conservation

Humboldt Bay is more important to birds than you might think

With two types of crucial habitats, shorebirds and waterbirds make great use of this northwest California bay.

Black Oystercatcher chicks spotted on Aramburu Island

The three chicks and one of their parents waddled around Aramburu Island. Photo: Kerry Wilcox

Black Oystercatchers have nested on Aramburu Island for the fourth year since major shoreline enhancement was completed. This year three chicks hatched! 

All three eggs hatched on or about June 21st, and three downy hatchlings were seen stumbling about the nest area soon after. Black Oystercatchers can lay up to three eggs, but two is more common.  Previous clutches on Aramburu, from what we believe to be the same pair of adult birds, have been limited to two eggs.  

As of July 19, we see only two of the three chicks, but both are eating well and looking healthy.  The young birds are about four weeks old at this point, and are likely to be able to fly (fledge) within a week or two.  Fledged birds will continue to stay with the parents for months, honing their feeding skills.

Shoreline reconstruction on Aramburu Island took place in late 2012, and oystercatchers made their first attempt at nesting in the spring of 2013.  The success of their breeding attempts points to the promise of such shoreline enhancement projects in other parts of the Bay and beyond!

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